Johnson's Cool Saves the Nets

It took two dramatic, improbable shots from Joe Johnson, but the Brooklyn Nets snapped their 13-game losing streak to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday with a 113-111 overtime win.

"It's an unbelievable feeling, regardless of the situation—whether it's regular season or playoffs—it's always a great feeling," said Johnson, who finished with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting. "And just to see everybody...excited in the building is probably the best feeling."

BKN -- 113

MIL -- 111

Johnson forced overtime by sinking a 27-foot miracle over an outstretched Luc Mbah a Moute with 1.3 seconds remaining in the fourth and he wasn't finished abusing the Bucks forward. Johnson, a six-time All-Star, took Mbah a Moute into the lane on the final possession of the overtime period to nail a running jumper for the Nets' third consecutive win.

"It's what he's been doing his entire career," interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said of Johnson, who now has four game-winning shots on the season. "The other guys did a good job with the execution and putting us in a good position, particularly the [3-pointer] at the end of regulation."

That shot was particularly helpful to point guard Deron Williams, who committed an offensive foul with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. That could have cost the Nets. Instead, Williams seemingly snapped out of his ongoing slump with a 19-point, 9-assist performance.

The Nets' two wins prior to the All-Star break came without Williams, who was dealing with synovitis (inflammation of the ankle joint linings). The three-time All-Star received platelet- rich plasma treatment on both ankles and returned to practice Monday evening. His scoring has dropped over 4 points per game since last season and he's averaging about 1 fewer assist per game as well.

The injury issues aren't a recent development for Williams. He began experiencing ankle problems, among other injuries, while playing for the U.S. at the Olympics. USA Basketball president Jerry Colangelo gave a possible hint of why when he recently said Williams was "not in the best shape" during the Olympics. But the Nets brass rushed to Williams' defense following the All-Star break.

"Everybody else has problems with Deron, I don't have any problems with Deron Williams," Carlesimo said Tuesday.

General manager Billy King said the Nets have performed well in spite of Williams' injuries, which King maintained are something the Nets will "have to manage" throughout the year.

Williams, who logged nearly 45 minutes, seemed to manage his injuries on Tuesday.

"We played him more minutes than we wanted to," Carlesimo admitted, adding that Williams "played very, very well."

The Nets' only current All-Star, Brook Lopez, was off his game on Tuesday (he made just 6 of 17 field goal attempts to finish with 19 points), but backup Andray Blatche, as well as the rest of the bench, compensated nicely. Blatche finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and played meaningful minutes down the stretch. Backup point guard C.J. Watson also contributed 11 points of his own.

"To me, the difference in the game was the bench," Carlesimo said, adding that "Blatche was playing too well at both ends to take him out."

The Nets' bench outscored the opposing reserves 44-15. The Nets (32-22) and the Bucks (26-26) face off again Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

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